Thanet Council loses row over hotel use

Thanet Council, which recently lost its attempt to stop Margate's Nayland Rock hotel taking in asylum seekers, is not going to appeal to the High Court.

Council officials had argued at a public inquiry that the Grade II-listed hotel needed planning consent as it was effectively becoming a hostel.

But a landmark ruling by an environment department inspector held that the 77-bedroom hotel had not changed its use to that of a hostel because it took in asylum seekers (Caterer, 12 October, page 10).

The inspector held that, provided the hotel still offered a high standard of accommodation, it could still take long-term bookings for Kosovans and other refugees. Facilities at Nayland Rock include en suite bathrooms, TVs and all meals, as well as a laundry service.

In the wake of the ruling, two more Margate hotels - the Athena and the Corfu - are to take in refugees, which number 1,500 in the town.

A support group in Thanet has been awarded nearly £300,000 of National Lottery cash to set up a social centre for the area's asylum seekers.